NWC REU 2018
May 21 - July 31
May 21 - July 31
Assessing the Effectiveness of a Microwave as a UV Exposure Unit for 3D Printed Materials
Jashawn Ford
What is already known:
- Antennas that can be used for weather measurements can cost $1000+ and take months to ship
- 3D printing an antenna design followed by copper plating is much more time efficient and cost-effective
- The time it takes to post cure the material using ultraviolet light varies with the devices used
What this study adds:
- A consumer-grade microwave oven can be modified to produce ultraviolet rays
- This inexpensive, ultraviolet post-curing device provides a set, repeatable process for the rapid fabrication of production antenna parts
Abstract:
3D printing antennas for weather measurements is a much more time efficient method than buying them. This project aims to make a quicker, more repeatable process for fast production antennas. Using a microwave oven, UV light strips, and adhesive mirror sheets, a low- cost alternative ultraviolet exposure unit was made. The construction process for the unit is detailed along with a comparison of the prototype work with a lab-grade exposure unit.